Lesson 1Mechanisms of ACL injury: biomechanics of cutting/pivoting, typical force vectors, pivot shift phenomenonLooks at how cutting, turning, and landing put too much strain on the ACL. Covers side push, inward twist, front slide forces, the pivot shift issue, and how leg position and muscle control change the risk in our games.
Knee loading during cutting and pivoting tasksValgus and internal rotation force vectorsQuadriceps-driven anterior tibial shear forcesPivot shift phenomenon and rotatory instabilityInfluence of alignment and neuromuscular controlLesson 2Collateral ligaments and posterolateral corner: MCL, LCL, posterolateral structures and their contribution to rotatory stabilityChecks out the inside and outside support ligaments and back-outside corner parts. Explains their layout, jobs in side-to-side and twist stability, damage types, and how mixed injuries affect ACL work and check results.
Superficial and deep MCL anatomy and functionLCL course, attachments, and palpation landmarksKey posterolateral corner structuresVarus–valgus and rotatory stability contributionsPatterns and grading of collateral complex injuryLesson 3Neurovascular structures around the knee relevant to examination and complicationsGoes into main nerves and blood vessels around the knee, their easy-to-spot marks, and risks in sudden hurts or swelling. Includes check methods, danger signs, and how layout guides quick referrals and scan choices.
Course of popliteal artery and genicular branchesTibial and common peroneal nerve surface landmarksNeurovascular exam after acute knee traumaCompartment syndrome and ischemia warning signsIatrogenic neurovascular risks during proceduresLesson 4Knee joint osteology and articulations: femur, tibia, patella, tibiofemoral and patellofemoral biomechanicsOutlines thigh bone, shin bone, kneecap bone structure and joint faces. Explains knee joint links, contact spots, and line-up, tying these to weight spread, wobble types, and twist injury risks without contact.
Distal femur condyles and intercondylar notchProximal tibia plateaus and tibial spine anatomyPatellar facets and trochlear groove morphologyTibiofemoral kinematics in flexion and rotationPatellofemoral tracking and contact mechanicsLesson 5Clinical presentation and signs of ACL tear: history features (pop, rapid swelling), Lachman, anterior drawer, pivot shift—interpretation and pitfallsCovers main story clues and hands-on checks for ACL rips. Explains reading Lachman, front pull, and pivot shift tests, usual mistakes, and how swelling, tensing, and linked hurts change what you find.
History: pop, swelling, and giving-way episodesInspection and effusion assessment techniquesPerforming and grading the Lachman testAnterior drawer and pivot shift interpretationCommon pitfalls and false negative scenariosLesson 6Common non-ligamentous soft tissues: joint capsule, synovium, fat pad, bursae and their role in effusion and painDescribes the joint cover, lining, fat cushions, and fluid sacs around the knee. Explains how these cause pain, fluid build-up, and sticking feelings, and how sudden twist injuries and after-swelling affect them.
Capsular reflections and recesses of the kneeSynovial folds, plicae, and effusion pathwaysInfrapatellar and suprapatellar fat pad anatomyMajor bursae and patterns of bursitisSoft tissue contributors to anterior knee painLesson 7Primary knee ligaments: ACL, PCL—fiber orientation, attachment sites, functional roles in stabilityDetails ACL and PCL fibre groups, start points, end points, and jobs stopping slide and spin. Ties layout to hurt causes, clinical tests, and plans for rebuild tunnel spots.
ACL anteromedial and posterolateral bundlesPCL anterolateral and posteromedial bundlesTibial and femoral attachment site landmarksRoles in anterior, posterior, and rotatory controlAnatomic considerations for graft tunnel placementLesson 8Key anatomical resources and standards: recommended anatomy texts, MRI knee atlases, and consensus guidelines for ACL management relevant to clinical reasoningSums up top anatomy books, scan guides, and agreed rules supporting ACL choices. Stresses using these to sharpen scan reading, surgery plans, and recovery thinking in our setting.
Core knee anatomy and sports medicine textbooksMRI knee atlases and online image repositoriesConsensus statements on ACL evaluationGuidelines for ACL reconstruction and rehabStrategies for integrating evidence into practiceLesson 9Imaging correlation for ACL injuries: MRI anatomy of ACL on standard sequences, common MRI signs (fiber discontinuity, edema, bone bruise), when X-ray is usefulFocuses on MRI look of ACL in usual views. Reviews direct and side signs of rip, usual bone bruise setups, and when simple X-rays spot breaks or pull-offs.
Normal ACL appearance on sagittal MRIPrimary MRI signs of partial and complete tearsIndirect MRI signs and pivot shift bone bruisesRole of X-ray in acute ACL-related traumaCommon MRI pitfalls and normal variantsLesson 10Menisci anatomy and attachments: medial and lateral meniscus shape, coronary ligaments, meniscotibial and meniscofemoral attachmentsReviews inside and outside cushion shapes, end ties, and cover links. Explains side ligaments, shin and thigh ties, and how these shape rip types, steadiness, and heal chances.
Medial versus lateral meniscus shape and mobilityAnterior and posterior horn tibial insertionsCoronary ligaments and capsular attachmentsMeniscotibial and meniscofemoral ligament anatomyAnatomic basis of common meniscal tear patternsLesson 11Rehabilitation priorities from anatomic perspective: restoring quad/hamstring balance, neuromuscular control, proprioception, graft considerations and return-to-sport criteriaTurns anatomy into recovery must-dos after ACL hurt or fix. Covers front-back leg balance, nerve-muscle control, position sense, graft safety, and clear, body-based back-to-play rules.
Restoring quadriceps and hamstring strength balanceNeuromuscular and movement pattern retrainingProprioceptive and dynamic stability drillsGraft healing timelines and load progressionObjective criteria for return-to-sport clearanceLesson 12Associated injury patterns: medial meniscal tears, MCL injury, bone bruises—anatomic rationale and frequencyLooks at how ACL breaks often pair with inside cushion rips, side ligament sprains, and bone bruises. Stresses body load share, usual bruise setups, and how these groups shape outlook and scan picks.
Load sharing between ACL, MCL, and medial meniscusTypical bone bruise locations on femur and tibiaPatterns in valgus collapse and pivoting mechanismsImaging clues to combined ligament–meniscal injuryPrognostic impact of associated structural damageLesson 13Immediate management guided by anatomy: indications for immobilization, weight-bearing decisions, urgent imaging, neurovascular checksLinks outer body layout to quick field and emergency calls. Covers when to brace, safe step limits, fast scans, and nerve-blood checks, stressing body-risk sorting and records.
When to immobilize versus allow early motionWeight-bearing decisions based on injured structuresIndications for urgent versus routine imagingSerial neurovascular checks and documentationRecognizing red flags requiring emergency referral
